Booking seats

HI,

I have a flight booked for myself and my fiancee heading from LHR to MIA in September for our wedding.

I have booked using FC miles to get us UC for both legs of the journey. Taking VS005 out, and VS024 back (from SF).

I have a few questions:
- When can I book my actual seats?
- Will these flights have the new(er) layout of UC?
- What seats would you recommend for a couple?

Thanks in advance!
Steven

You can request seats - not book them, as it's never guaranteed - at 90 days before each flight.

Can you just confirm your return flight? The VS24 is from LA not SF.

As for the outbound, most of the time the VS5 to Miami uses a 747 which will have the old UC suite. This has 3 UC cabins - the 'A' zone right at the front, the 'B' zone just behind and the front half of the upper deck.

Most V-Flyers prefer the 'A' zone as it is very private and spacious. For a couple row 12 right at the front is ideal as although you're across from each other, you're very close. The further back you go, the further apart you are so you might prefer two next to each other eg 16 and 17A. The UC seat layout isn't great for couples but each seat has an ottoman where someone can come and sit to chat or even dine.

The upper deck is also highly rated although some don't like sharing it with economy. The seats up there are all much of a muchness so again go for two next to each other eg 2 & 3A (or K).

Most V-Flyers avoid the 'B' zone as it's more cramped (4 across instead of 2) and the bar can make it noisy.

If you are returning from SF on the VS20, that always uses a 747 so the suggestions above apply.

However if you're on the VS24 from LA that always uses an A340-600 which has the same 'old' UC suite but a totally different layout - I'd choose two next to each other between 3 & 6K or 9 & 12A.

Hope that helps and makes sense.

[Neil]

You will be able to request seats, 90 days before your flight.
It is very unlikely either a/c will have the new UCDS as these are only on the A333 a/c and these currently arent scheduled on either of these routes/flights. Just to say, the Vs24 is the flight back from LAX not SFO, that would be VS20.

As for seats, if you are on the A346 a/c then any 2 side by side in the range from 2-6K or 10-13A, and if your MIA is on the 747 then the best would be 12A/K, but anywhere in the front A Zone side by side would be good still.

Hi,

Thanks for the replies! I meant to say LA, not SF. Lets hope I dont make the same mistake in September!

Do I request the seats on the website, or do I need to phone them? I'm really looking forward to the UC experience, so would like everything to be as perfect as it can be!

Thank you both so much for your help!
Steven

Hi

Do I request the seats on the website, or do I need to phone them? I'm really looking forward to the UC experience, so would like everything to be as perfect as it can be!

Thank you both so much for your help!
Steven

Hi Steven,

You can access your booking online at the 90 day mark and request your seats for your from there. Then 90 days prior to your return, do the same. y) I, alongside other V-Flyers, have had success getting into the booking a few hours earlier than that ^)

Mark

Once again, thank you for your help, I really appreciate it!

I'm sure you and your fiancee will love UC. Make sure you arrive at Heathrow in plenty of time to enjoy the Clubhouse - a nice breakfast, some drinks from the bar and a free spa treatment/haircut are a fantastic way to start a long journey.

Don't know how you're getting to Heathrow but if you're getting a cab or being dropped off by car, be sure to take advantage of the UC Wing. You need to book it in advance (free) and give them your arrival time and car details, but it's definitely worth it.

I agree get to the airport super early to enjoy what the UC lounge has to offer! I'm not addicted to UC and can't fly any other way! The service is brilliant! Also of your going to heathrow just be careful of the traffic as its a nightmare on the m25 in the morning!
Also if you feel generous you can invite 2 people into the UC lounge if they are flying the same day

My 90 days will be arriving soon to ore assign my seats . I can't wait but will it have to be 90 days dead on or can it be 90 days + hours?

Well this morning I reserved seats at exactly 8am for a 11:25 flight +90 days, so it was about 90 days and 3.5 hours, I was the first on there as all seats were available (in cheap seats), I had tried about 30 mins prior to 8am and the seat map came up but wouldnt let me reserve any, then it suddenly worked at 8am.

Well this morning I reserved seats at exactly 8am for a 11:25 flight +90 days, so it was about 90 days and 3.5 hours, I was the first on there as all seats were available (in cheap seats), I had tried about 30 mins prior to 8am and the seat map came up but wouldnt let me reserve any, then it suddenly worked at 8am.

That's great info rolandrat my flights at 13.05 so hopefully I can pre book at 8. But I will try all morning if I have to . Gotta get a good seat

It pays to keep checking seat map prior to 90 day point. I got my outbound UC's to SFO at 90 days and 8 hours. By my calculations (which were wrong) my return from LAX 90 days was 0600 yesterday but infact it should have been 0600 today.Tried to check seat map yesterday at 1800 but website was playing up. I phoned head office who advised me seat map had just opened and they reserved me my choice which was at 90 + 12 hrs. What nice people they are at VA. So keeep checking prior to 90 days

Paps.

It pays to keep checking seat map prior to 90 day point. I got my outbound UC's to SFO at 90 days and 8 hours. By my calculations (which were wrong) my return from LAX 90 days was 0600 yesterday but infact it should have been 0600 today.Tried to check seat map yesterday at 1800 but website was playing up. I phoned head office who advised me seat map had just opened and they reserved me my choice which was at 90 + 12 hrs. What nice people they are at VA. So keeep checking prior to 90 days

Paps.

Thanks paps!!

I will keep checking on 90 days + hours:) I may be lucky enough to get it earlier but who knows.. People get different results some are 90 days 16 hours where others are 89 days! Fingers crossed

Is it normal for it to show the seat map a day or two before you can actually pick the seats? I can see the seat map, but its not allowing me to pick any seats (still 91 odd days out)

Thanks,
Steven

[Neil]

Is it normal for it to show the seat map a day or two before you can actually pick the seats? I can see the seat map, but its not allowing me to pick any seats (still 91 odd days out)

Thanks,
Steven

Yes this often happens

For all VA flights you can currently book your seat at 8am (UK)at the 90 days mark.

You may see the seat map a day or so before, you might even be able to get to click on a seat but it will reject up to 07.59 @ 90 days but form 8am it will work.

I did it twice last month at 8am.

[Neil]

For all VA flights you can currently book your seat at 8am (UK)at the 90 days mark.

You may see the seat map a day or so before, you might even be able to get to click on a seat but it will reject up to 07.59 @ 90 days but form 8am it will work.

I did it twice last month at 8am.

It actually has more to do with the time of your flight than that. If you are say on one of the late New York flights then it will be 90 days and a few hours, 8am is to early.

For our afternoon flight to LAX, which leaves at nearly 4pm. It was nearly 1pm on the 90 day mark that our seat map became fully active, so 90 days and 3 hours.

Neil

For all VA flights you can currently book your seat at 8am (UK)at the 90 days mark.

You may see the seat map a day or so before, you might even be able to get to click on a seat but it will reject up to 07.59 @ 90 days but form 8am it will work.

I did it twice last month at 8am.

It actually has more to do with the time of your flight than that. If you are say on one of the late New York flights then it will be 90 days and a few hours, 8am is to early.

For our afternoon flight to LAX, which leaves at nearly 4pm. It was nearly 1pm on the 90 day mark that our seat map became fully active, so 90 days and 3 hours.

Neil

Both my flights opened at 8am too (VS43 and the return VS44)

From my experience, ie two bookings and one a very late evening return flight from SFO, I booked at 8am exactly, I have read many others on other forums saying the same.

So I do think all VA flights open for seat booking at 8am UK time, and that does make sense as West Coast USA is - 8 Hours, so for them it is available at exactly midnight on there 90 day mark.